USA

When it comes to moving to the U.S. one of the most important things to reconsider are living costs and where is the best place to settle. Mainly, people are looking for the ways to save the money, but America offers you a large variety in landscape, environment, and price. If you are looking for the best cities, which are cheap, but at the same time great and welcoming, check out my list below and in one of them I am currently living.

This is the largest city that Oklahoma offers, and it’s quite affordable compared to its size. Housing expenses here run 28% below the national average, and both houses and apartment rents are included. Considering it has 1.4 million of people, this city offers you a lot of attractions. If you decide to move here, one thing is sure, the job is guaranteed, and you will never get bored.

Conway, Arkansas

Conway is a home to many high – tech developed companies, and one of them is Acxiom. The proximity of the Arkansas River and Lake make this city ideal for water sports and relaxation. If you want to peruse an education, you can attend the University of Central Arkansas. Even though the renting and housing expenses are high, they are still below the national average. Another benefit of this city is the relatively low health care costs.

Indianapolis

Living in a big city, but without high living costs is a perfect description of this town. Indianapolis is the capital of Indiana and its largest economy center. It has several universities and colleges. Here is located the largest children museum in the world and ticket price is $5 every Thursday in the month. If you are a fan of motor vehicles, head to the Motor Speedway, the famous track which hosts Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 races.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville is one of the most affordable cities on our list, from rent to transportation, food, and health care. This city is a perfect mixture of urban and rural, and it’s a home to the University of Tennessee and a getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains. This city can offer you a lot of possibilities, and the unemployment rate is 4.5%. If you want to cut down your cost, then this city is perfect for you.

Memphis

Memphis is one of the cities with the cheapest real estates; you can easily buy a house here below 100k. You also have an opportunity to experience renters benefits because rent is one – third less than the national average. The proximity of the Mississippi River makes Memphis one of the biggest centers for transportation and shipping.

Norman, Oklahoma

If you are a fan of sports, then this city is perfect for you. The football is the main attraction here, as well as men gymnastics team. This city has the biggest income on this list, which makes it perfect for living. The household costs are close to average one, but overall living costs are far from it.

When you decide to move to the U.S., that will be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. The change of the environment can be a very stressful situation for you, but more challenges are just ahead of you. If you are still new, you can find many Thai communities that will give you a hand and help you settle faster here. On the contrary, if you want to do things on your own, I have a prepared a list of stuff for you to do, once you get here. After you complete this list, your life will be much easier.

Open a bank account

Unfortunately, not many banks allow you to open a checking account without your social security number. But, there is one band which will help you out, it’s an Agonne Abri Credit Union. However, once you obtain a social security number, you need to submit it to the bank.

Apply for social security number

Before you can apply for SSN, you need to be in the U.S. for ten days. The paperwork you will need is your passport, visa, and ID. For more documents, you can always visit a website of Social Security Administration and see what else you will need to submit.

Find an apartment

Depending on your preferences and the state where you want to live, you can choose to rent an apartment, or you can rent a house. Before you make a final decision, you need to know what are you paying for, what is included in the price and what are your obligations. You can use various online websites to check out the locations, or you can hire a real estate agent. When you move to new home, make sure to turn all the utilities, such as water, gas, cable, internet, and phone.

Get driver’s license and ID

Once you have an SSN, you can easily get a driver’s license and ID, for more information you can visit the website of the Department of Motor Vehicles for more details.

Getting a car

If you are staying in the U.S., a car is one of the essential things you will need. To get a car, you will need a driving license. A loan would be a good solution, but since you are an immigrant, it will be hard to get one, since every bank will check your credit history. In this case, Agonne Abri Credit Union will be able to help you again. It is recommended to buy an I – pass because your tolling costs will be 50% lower.

Finding a job

Your possibilities are vast here; you can have several part – time jobs until you find a well – paid full – time job.

Thai community in the U.S. is vibrant and diverse. Many people from Thailand have decided to start their life here because this country offers you many possibilities. One of the reasons why we decided to draw this guide is to help you get around when you first land on U.S. ground. So, here are some things you need to do before you ultimately settle here.

Living in the U.S.

Residing in America can be both exciting and frightening experience. This is a favorite destination for millions of expats, and it attracts students from all over the world. You will find that major financial centers, such as New York, have more expensive living costs, while other cities are much affordable. Again, depending on where you want to move, you can easily find some affordable place because housing prices are generally lower than in many cities in Europe. For example, if you are in need of accommodation, you can find housing online or on Craigslist. You also have other options; you can hire a realtor and let him show you an appropriate accommodation.

Open a bank account

Most people in the U.S. operate on credit cards, so when you settle, it’s time to open a bank account. You should find a bank that is near your place and open a checking account with a debit card. Many facilities in America accept debit and credit cards. Once you get a checking account, you will be able to cover your expenses with checks. Ask from a bank what type of documentation you will need for this process. Most banks will request from you to submit immigration documents and a proof of a physical address, your passport, and social security number if you have one.

Obtain a social security number

Basically, you will need a social security number if you intend to work in the U.S. This number is used to report how much money you are making and to determine if you are eligible for retirement benefits. If you want to open an account or get a driving license, you don’t need this number. When you are applying for the visa, you can easily apply for social security card. If you already arrived in the U.S., you can visit your nearest social security administration office, but wait ten days after you come. In this case, you need to sub proof that you are granted to work in the U.S.